Book Review - Timeless Treasure by MaryLu Tyndall

I have been reading MaryLu Tyndall's books for over 10 years, but out of all of her books, I really like the books that are set on pirate ships, as this one is! This book was particularly interesting to me because it was a time-slip novel. Tyndall did an excellent job of maintaining the present-day story while "slipping" back in time to the pirate's story. I really appreciated the craftsmanship of the story and the way you jumped back in time through reading letters, just like the characters in the book were doing! I also liked finding out that the story was based on a real pirate and that the author stayed true to his story. What a fun way to learn more history!

The story was woven so beautifully. I believe you will fall in love with both the present-day and the historical stories in this book.

Lastly, I love how so many of Tyndall's books weave a thread of redemption throughout the stories. This book has a truly beautiful ending. I hope you will take the time to pick up this story and discover what the Timeless Treasure is all about!

 (I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel - Book Review

I am a huge fan of Lindsay Harrel’s books! I have loved each one. She writes with such depth. When I began reading this one, I wasn’t sure about the storyline. I am not a runner and don’t enjoy that sport at all, so I wasn’t sure how I could relate to the characters. But it was an interesting perspective as I have many friends who like to run and I could look at it from their point of view. Also, as much as the story is about an ultra-marathon, it is also not. It is about the journey. And about finding joy in that journey. 

The joy in the midst of grief. The joy in the happiness. Harrel does an excellent job of weaving this story together. As always, I enjoy how deep and real her stories are. And of course, it is such a fun setting! I now have a new place I want to travel to! 

So to end, I want to encourage you to read this story and let it touch your heart! There are so inspiring quotes throughout this book and many I will take with me. I hope you will enjoy this adventure and that you will leave understanding more about what joy really is. 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Book Review - She Walks in Majesty by MaryLu Tyndall

She Walks in Majesty by MaryLu Tyndall

She Walks in Majesty is the third story in MaryLu Tyndall’s Protector of the Spear series. This story is full of action, romance, and friendships. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first two in the series, I recommend you start with those first. The whole series takes you on a journey of growth and strength, challenges and joys. You will truly see good versus evil in this story. I love how in the end, the good always ends. 

This story has a lot happening in it and, as always, Tyndall does a great job weaving all the elements and writes a fast-paced story that is sure to keep you up late reading! 

The ending of this story was so good and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Book Review - A Mother’s Secret by Gabrielle Meyer

A Mother’s Secret by Gabrielle Meyer

I love the setting of A Mother’s Secret. It is set in an old historical mansion! As you begin the book, you will feel as if you, too, are entering this house. The contemporary story takes place in a small town in Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River. 

Out of all of Meyer’s books, this might be my favorite. It has so much heart in the story. The mother in the story feels so much connection to her family, her community, and this house. She will do just about anything to keep everything together.

I love the small town setting and family life that this story is all about and I think you will enjoy it, too!

 (I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Book Review - The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano

The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano

I was excited to read the third story in the Supper Club series by Carla Laureano! The Solid Grounds Coffee Company did not disappoint. I couldn’t wait to hear Ana’s story and it was a story I connected with. Ana is battling a lot in this story. Troubles with her job, family, friends, and relationships in general. I loved watching how this story developed and the redemption that happens. 

I also enjoyed the hero’s backstory. Bryan is also going through a lot and I love the journey you see him take and how both Ana and Bryan connect at the heart of the Solid Grounds Coffee Company. It is a sweet story of love, strength, and the journey of life that includes both ups and downs. 

This story can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. If you haven’t read the first two, I would also recommend them! It is a fun series of friendships, food, and journeys!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Charity’s Cross by MaryLu Tyndall ~ Book Review

Charity’s Cross by MaryLu Tyndall 

~Book Review~

I loved Charity’s Cross because it tied both the Charles Towne Belles series and the Legacy of the King’s Pirates series together and made me want to read those books again. This book could be read as a stand-alone, but you will want to read the other if you haven’t yet! The Red Siren, which is the first book in the Charles Towne Belles series, was the first book I read by Mary Lu Tyndall. After that book, I fell in love with her stories on the sea, especially the two series that I mentioned above! This book does not disappoint.

Charity’s Cross has a prevailing theme. There is romance, a chase, storms on the ship, and the opportunity for a new life. But there are also betrayals, deceptions, and a lot of blame. Charity most definitely has a cross to bear. So many of the characters felt the need to blame someone, whether it was themselves or someone else or God… I think we can relate to that. It is much easier to blame someone/something than finding the reason for the blame, or seeking forgiveness. After realizing that there was so much blame going around, Elias, one of the main characters thinks, “Wasn’t it just like human nature to want someone to blame for life’s tragedies? Someone on whom to enact revenge.” He sees so many lies and betrayals and yearns for them to stop and for there to be truth.

Lastly, we see how forgiveness can prevail. MaryLu does a great job of showing our humanness and ultimately how God’s love for us can overcome it all. This quote does a nice job of summing things up:

 “’We are all so flawed, we humans…We make mistakes every day, and we will make many more in our lifetime…How can I blame you for not trusting me…?’”

‘Tis no excuse…’

‘Nay, but it is a reason. Besides, how can I not forgive you when God has forgiven me of so much?’”

 

Forgiveness can cover all the blame, all the sin. If only we are willing…

I believe you will find things you can relate to in this story. It has lessons to learn, but is fun in the telling. It is a great book to pick up if you have never read any of MaryLu’s in the past. If you have read her past books, you will love to see many of her stories come together. I highly recommended Charity’s Cross.

Check out the book on Amazon

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*­­

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck ~Book Review~

I had the privilege of reading an Advanced Reader's Copy of How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck.

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Below is my review of this fun book!

Rachel Hauck

How to Catch a Prince is the third in the Royal Wedding Series written by Rachel Hauck. Hauck does a great job with these modern-day fairy tales, making every girl’s dream come true. This story, along with the others in this series, reminds me of Princess Kate’s story. 

This particular story tells of an American Heiress who meets a prince while at university. It describes the trials that they go through in order to find out what true love really means. It describes true love between a man and woman and between man and God. The story also shows what it means to truly love someone and what is at stake when you do.

The third book in the Royal Wedding series is a beautifully woven story with the message being clear throughout the whole book. It demonstrates how if we let God work in our lives He can, and will, do great things. If we are willing to love, without reserve, we will find many blessings. I would highly recommend this wonderful story and the first two in the series. You will not be disappointed with this exciting, fun story that shares the message of what it means to love and be loved. 

To watch a "book trailer" for this story, follow this link: http://www.rachelhauck.com/books/everyone-reading-catch-prince/ 

To order the book on Amazon, click here. The book releases on February 24, 2015.

The Disappointments of Growing Up

Photo Credit

One of the worst parts about growing up is that you learn all these things in life that you thought were true are the opposite. My parents tend to burst my bubble when it comes to things like this. For example, a few months back, I found out that Betty Crocker isn't an actual person. I guess I didn't expect the lady on the cover of the cookbooks to be a real live person, but I thought she was perhaps at least based on someone. (I guess it could be argued that she is based on the women of the current generation or whoever is opening that cookbook). But as a young person, I believed she was real. Why wouldn't she be???

 

Then there is the whole thing about drawings/giveaways... (My parents claim most of them are rigged and they are not just by chance).

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Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, the list goes on and on. As a child you have no reason to doubt these things. And some of these things may not even have been things people have told you, it may have just been that you were a trusting child and believed the world was a wonderful place. Perhaps you even believed you lived in Never Land, which of course brings up the whole Peter Pan thing. I always wished I could be Peter and just stay young forever...

So what, you may ask, started this whole rant and rave? Well, you see, I am a self-proclaimed, hopeless romantic. I love to read chick lit and watch chick flicks. Tonight, we (my family and I) got into this whole discussion about this super romantic marriage proposal from a book that my mom and I had just read***. She said that romantic proposals like that don't happen in real life (at least not a lot of the time) and of course I believe they do. (And don't even get me started on happily-ever-afters). So then this discussion got started and now I'm on a mission to prove that proposals do/can happen that way today, in real life. So please tell me all of your wonderfully romantic tales of real life!  

And if, in the small chance that they might not be that romantic, I guess I will just continue to read my wonderfully romantic chick lit by all of my favorite authors out there! I do have to give a shout-out to all those great authors who write great, clean, romantic, humorous, Christian books! I really appreciate all of you!

***The whole proposal discussion started based on Janice Thompson's series "Weddings by Design". The third one, "The Dream Dress," has a wonderfully romantic proposal, but I won't tell you about it because it will ruin it for you! Make sure you read the book!

"The Dream Dress" by Janice Thompson

Remnants Review and Giveaway

I have the privilege of hosting Lisa Tawn Bergren and sharing with you about her new book here on my blog! This is the second time I have been able to interview her. (The first was on JOY Blog). I recently had the opportunity to read Remnants: Season of Wonder, Lisa's lastest YA/Teen book. Not only did I have the honor to read and review the book, but I also was able to ask her a few questions that I will share with you! My review, the interview with Lisa, and details about a GIVEAWAY are below!

Review of Remnants: Season of Wonder by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Did you like the Hunger Games books? Are you looking for another story like that, but hoping for something with a little different ending?

Unlike the previously mentioned books, this book offers hope. The characters in the Remnants book are working to make a difference in the world, a world that is much different from today’s world. The Remnants are a chosen people and each one of them has a knight to protect them. Each Remnant has a gift. And they are all called to save the world, no matter the cost. They must be willing to give up everything. Some already have, losing everything, and everyone, that is dear to them. They face many trials along the way and they do not know all that lies ahead of them. It will be a tough journey ahead.

The story pulls you in and you won’t want to put it down. When I reached the end of the story, I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I guarantee that you will enjoy the story and that you will be anxious for the second story to come out so you can continue reading.

 You can pre-order the book on Amazon, CBD, or Barnes and Noble. Also , check  your local bookstores.

Interview with Lisa Tawn Bergren

1. What made you decide to write YA/Teen books?

Lisa Tawn Bergren (*Photo Credit)

LTB - I’ve been reading teen fiction since my girls got to that reading level—both because I wanted to share some books with them and be aware of what’s out there to choose from. I was hooked! I now love YA fiction…it’s so fun, and themes are relevant to people like me who are middle-aged too!

2. Where did your inspiration come from for the Remnants series?

LTB - I loved the Hunger Games trilogy, but it got me thinking about a potential dystopian with more hope in it, as well as a spiritual thread—things I missed in THG. That’s all it takes to get a seed planted in my brain...

3. How did you pick the name for your lead character?

LTB - It’s an ancient female warrior name. Most of the Remnants and their knights are warrior names, because they’re entering an epic battle!

A couple fun questions

4. What do you like to have to drink in the morning with your breakfast?

LTB - Coffee with a pack of Truvia and creamer.

5. Since many of us are longing for summer... What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? 

LTB - Ride a river on an inner tube. :-)

Like Lisa Tawn Bergren on Facebook or follow on Twitter!

GIVEAWAY

Lisa has offered to give one winner a signed copy of Remnants! To enter to win: (1) you must live in the U.S. (so she can ship it to you) and (2) you must comment below to be entered! 

A few questions to get you started...

• What did you find interesting from this blog post?
• Did you read the Hunger Games books or watch the movies?
• Have you read any of Lisa's other books?
• What kind of books do you like to read?
• Have you read  dystopian books before?

*http://lisatawnbergren.com/media/